Multipurpose Stemware Holder Tray Having A Universal Thumb Grip

ABSTRACT

A tray or platform for carrying stemmed containers. The invention further relates to a multipurpose stemware holder tray for holding, stabilizing and carrying filled stemmed glasses or stemmed containers in an upright position. The invention furthermore relates to a multipurpose stemware holder tray that rests on the palm and forearm of a user in a carrying position that includes a universal thumb grip for securely retaining and controlling stemmed containers and for avoiding spillage and other types of accidents.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED DOCUMENTS

This non-provisional application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13/898,350, entitled “Multipurpose Stemware Holder Tray” filed May 20, 2013. The disclosure of the aforementioned application is included by reference as fully set forth herein.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a tray or platform for holding, controlling, stabilizing and carrying items such as glassware. More specifically, the invention relates to a multipurpose stemware holding tray that rests on the palm and wrist of a user in a carrying position that includes a universal thumb grip for retaining stemmed glassware or stemmed containers in an upright position to reduce spillage during transportation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Serving trays have been used for centuries for carrying beverages, food, accessories, etc., and in modern times, used in many places including dining rooms, restaurants, bars, special events, and the like. There presently exist various inventions related to specialty trays developed for compartmentalizing the tray, for carrying specific items, and trays which are adapted for retaining glassware when the same is positioned thereon. The problem with these serving trays is that a user has to use both hands to carry such a tray and then set it down in order to serve customers or serve the items placed on the tray with one hand while having to balance the tray with their other hand. Sometimes attempts at this particular dexterity leads to spills and/or other accidents that can cost a business a lot of money for cleanup, glassware breakage, cleaning customer clothing and the like.

Perhaps one of the biggest problems with carrying items on a serving tray is the problem of limited space for a business or the like that serve beverages such as alcoholic beverages. When there is limited space, servers for a business or the like face the daunting problem of trying to balance items on their tray. This task can become even more difficult if a server bumps into a customer or another employee because of overcrowding. It is even more difficult for these servers to try and balance containers on their tray of the stemmed variety that hold alcoholic beverages such as wine. In the case of stemmed containers falling off a serving tray containing alcoholic beverages such as red wine, clean-up can be very messy because the wine can stain carpets, or even worse, stain the clothing of customers. Additionally, stemmed glassware that falls off a tray can create safety issues because broken glass can get all over the place and can be difficult to clean up and/or spot especially in a crowded room with dimmed lighting. Moreover, spilled wine can cost a business or the like a lot of money since a bottle of wine can be very expensive. Similarly, stemmed glassware can be very expensive to replace, especially if a business or the like uses high quality stemmed glassware to go along with the expensive wine they are serving.

There have been suggestions in the prior art of devices by which a user can hold a plate and a stemmed glass in one hand, leaving the other hand free. One suggestion is shown in Streames, UK Patent No. 1,126,304, which shows a relatively thin serving tray quite similar to a painter's pallet having a key hole slot at one end to hold a stemmed wine glass and at the other end a thumb hole. The user places their thumb through the thumb hole to the upper side of the tray and supports the bottom on the tray with the remaining fingers of the hand. The problem with this invention is that it allows a user to only carry one stemmed wine glass and the thumb hole does not allow for even and stable gripping of the serving tray.

To more evenly distribute the weight of the tray and contents, grasping surfaces on the bottom of the tray have been proposed. U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,346,070 and 5,429,231 issued to McSpadden disclose a cup like portion for holding a drink container that is grasped by the user's hand to support the tray and contents but offers no solution for holding stemmed glassware. Moreover, holding the tray is not only tiring but also requires forearm inclination for maintaining proper horizontal orientation to avoid spillage. A further approach is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,264,026 issued to Bradley wherein a serrated conical handle is provided on the bottom surface of the tray for grasping by the user. The tray includes food areas and a single slotted glass holder for supporting stemmed glassware. The tray is adapted to be additionally supported by the forearm of the user. Nonetheless, the handle must be tightly and continuously grasped to prevent wobbling about the longitudinal or roll axis.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,219,144 issued to Gabriella Hagelberg describes a serving tray with a number of recesses in the form of bowls for components of a meal. A recess is provided for at least one dish and one is provided for a drinking vessel. A hole extends through Hagelberg's tray in a shape and size to form an opening for the insertion of the thumb of a hand so that the tray can be carried with the thumb on the upper side of the tray while the hand is placed under the tray bottom to support the underside of the tray. However, the thumb hole is in a corner to allow the hand to go under the tray and is not balanced at all. Finally, it is not left hand/right hand symmetrical.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,516,685 issued to Michael French sets forth a plate-type tray with a tapered plate section and a single slotted glass holder for supporting stemmed glassware. No provision is made for carrying a separate plate therein nor is there a provision for a thumb recess nor is there right hand/left hand interchangeability.

To further overcome the above difficulties and disadvantages, various serving trays for holding both food and drinks with a single hand have been proposed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,401,858 issued to White discloses a service tray wherein a pair of openings are included in a rear wall of the tray to enable a user to hold both the tray and a beverage container. The cantilevered weight is borne entirely by the user's wrist. A similar tray is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,429,266 issued to D'Oliveira wherein the user grips an end portion of a tray having discrete areas for nesting a beverage glass and a food plate. The weight is also home entirely by the user's wrist and requires constant gripping pressure. Further, any inadvertent wrist movement can result in instability or spillage.

To even further overcome the above difficulties and disadvantages, U.S. Utility application Ser. No. 13/898,350, entitled “Multipurpose Stemware Holder Tray” filed May 20, 2013, discloses a serving tray that includes notched thumb grips located on the backside of the tray. These thumb grips are positioned to fit an individual's thumb in only one position and can make holding the tray rather difficult if a user wants to reposition their thumb with respect to how they hold the tray on the palm of their hand.

In light of the shortcomings in the prior art, a multipurpose stemware holder tray is desired that overcomes the problems noted above and is adapted to conveniently hold items and also retain a plurality of stemmed containers in a manner that is comfortable as well as stable. Furthermore, a multipurpose stemware holder tray is desired that includes a universal thumb grip to add even more support and stability when a user is holding the tray for serving purposes.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a multipurpose stemware holder tray for holding stemmed glassware or stemmed containers, food, various accessories, and the like which is stably held by one hand of a user that increases stemware holder tray stability to avoid spillage and other accidents. The multipurpose stemware holder tray can be conveniently held by either hand since it is right hand/left hand interchangeable. The multipurpose stemware holder tray includes a base structure that is substantially flat having a front and back side. The base structure of the tray further includes an opening that forms a handle for gripping with four fingers. The front side of the tray includes a surface area that can be used to carry items such as a notepad, a pen, bottles, food, accessories and the like. The user holds the multipurpose stemware holder tray by positioning the back side thereof on the palm of a user's hand in a carrying position and then the user inserts his or her fingers through the opening of said base structure for gripping the handle which is intended to add further support and stability when holding the tray for serving purposes. The bottom portion of the tray is also supported on the forearm of the user to add even further support and stability.

The backside of the tray includes a plurality of protrusions for preventing said tray from resting flat on a surface making it easy and convenient to pick up when stored away. The backside of the tray further includes a universal thumb grip to add even more support and stability when holding the tray for serving purposes. Additionally, the universal thumb grip allows a user to conveniently position their thumb anywhere on this grip enabling the user to position the tray comfortably on the palm of their hand in various carrying positions. Moreover, the outer perimeter of the tray includes a plurality of slot-accessible circular openings (i.e., more than one) for accepting and holding stemmed glassware or stemmed containers in an upright or downright position. When a stemmed container such as a wine glass, a martini glass or a margarita glass is inserted upright through a slot-accessible circular opening, the bowl of the container is supported on the tray around the circular hole of the slot as to avoid spillage or other types of accidents such as a wine glass filling off said tray.

The present invention also provides for a multipurpose stemware holder tray that can be easily and efficiently manufactured and marketed.

The present invention is a new multipurpose stemware holder tray which consists of lightweight material that is of a strong, durable and reliable construction.

An even further feature of the present invention is to provide a new, low-cost multipurpose stemware holder tray.

Still yet another feature of the present invention is to provide a new multipurpose stemware holder tray that allows a user to have one hand free for serving purposes and avoid having to rest the tray on another surface while serving customers.

Even still another feature of the present invention is to provide a multipurpose stemware holder tray that provides a stable and stationary place for stemmed containers such as wine glasses, martini glasses or margarita glasses to be placed thereon as to avoid spillage and other types of accidents while a user is carrying the tray to serve customers.

Accordingly, for a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the various uses attained by the invention, reference should be made to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there are illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of the multipurpose stemware holder tray.

FIG. 2 is a top view of the multipurpose stemware holder tray.

FIG. 3 is a back perspective view of the multipurpose stemware holder tray.

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the multipurpose stemware holder tray showing how the tray is to be held by a user's fingers. The user's fingers depicted in the drawing are for illustrative purposes only and form no part of the claimed invention.

FIG. 5 is a back perspective view of the multipurpose stemware holder tray showing how a user will place their thumb on the universal thumb grip. The user's thumb and hand depicted in the drawing are for illustrative purposes only and fours no part of the claimed invention.

FIG. 6 is a back perspective view of the multipurpose stemware holder tray showing an alternative embodiment of the invention pertaining to the positioning of the protrusions.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference to the drawings, there is illustrated the preferred embodiments of the invention as shown in FIGS. 1-6, a multipurpose stemware holder tray 10 adapted for holding food, accessories, various items, and the like on the front side 11 thereof. Furthermore, the preferred embodiment of the invention is used to hold a plurality of stemmed glassware and/or stemmed containers on the outer portion of the tray 10 having a plurality of slot-accessible circular openings 25. Of course the tray 10 can include slot-accessible circular openings 25 on the outer portion of said tray 10 which can hold more or less stemmed glassware and/or stemmed containers than what is depicted in FIGS. 1-6.

As illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the tray 10 includes a base structure having a front portion 11 that. further includes a top portion 15 and a bottom portion 17, and has a reference line 50 running from left 29 to right 31 of said base structure and is evenly distanced from said top portion 15 and bottom portion 17.

As further illustrated in FIGS. 1-2, the preferred embodiment of the invention has a top portion 15 and a bottom portion 17 having a surface area that can be conveniently used to carry various items such as a notepad, pens, bottles, food, accessories and the like. The outer perimeter of the tray 10 also includes a plurality of slot-accessible circular openings 25. Each of the slots 25 includes a narrow passage way 27 that allows stemmed containers such as a stemmed wine glass or the like to pass through and rest securely on the circular base rim 26 in an upright or down right position. If the stemmed wine glass or the like is inserted in an upright position through a slot 25, the bottom part of the bowl is supported on the circular base rim 26 which helps to prevent spillage and also helps to prevent the wine glass or the like from falling off the tray 10. If the stemmed wine glass or the like is inserted in a downright position through slot 25, the foot of the wine glass or the like is supported on the front base portion 11 of the tray 10. The slots 25 could also include a rubber coating or the like, called a rubber coated rim 28, for securely holding and padding the bowl or foot of a stemmed container for added stability and control. The outer perimeter of the tray 10 can also include a rubber coating covering the entire outer portion of the tray.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, the tray 10 includes a base structure having a back portion 12 that further includes a top portion 15 and a bottom portion 17, and has a reference line 50 running from left 29 to right 31 of said base structure and is evenly distanced from said top portion 15 and bottom portion 17. The base structure of the tray 10 further includes an opening 23 that forms a handle 21 for gripping with four fingers and is located just directly above the reference line 50.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3, the tray 10 can be conveniently held by a user by positioning the backside 12 thereof on the palm of the user's hand in a carrying position, located approximately on or just below the reference line 50 and evenly distanced from the left side 29 and right side 31 of the tray. The tray 10 can also be conveniently held by either hand since it is right hand/left hand interchangeable. Once the tray is positioned on the palm of the user's hand, the user then inserts four fingers through the opening 23 of the base structure gripping the handle 21 with the four fingers which adds further support and stability when holding the tray 10 for serving purposes as illustrated in FIG. 5. The rear portion of the tray 19 can also be supported on the forearm of the user to add even further support and stability when carrying items on the tray 10 for serving purposes.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3, the backside 12 of the tray 10 also includes a plurality of protrusions 33 for preventing the tray 10 from resting flat on a surface making it easy and convenient to pick up the tray 10 when it is being stacked or stored away on a flat surface. Moreover, alternative embodiments of the invention allow the protrusions 33 to be positioned in various locations on the backside 12 of the tray 10 without deviating from the original intent of the invention as depicted in FIG. 6. Similarly, the protrusions 33 can be positioned to connect to a rubber coating covering the entire outer rim of the tray 10 as depicted in FIG. 6.

As further illustrated in FIG. 3, the backside 12 of the tray 10 also includes a wrist grip 35 preferably made of rubber like material but can be made of any other type of material preferred by the manufacturer of the tray 10. The handle 21 for gripping is covered by the same rubber like material used on the wrist grip 35 but can also be covered by any type of material preferred by the manufacturer of the tray 10.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the backside 12 of the tray includes a universal thumb grip 37 surrounding the handle 21 and preferably made of rubber like material for increased gripping performance and stability control when carrying items on the tray 10 for serving purposes. Similarly, the universal thumb grip 37 could also be made of any other type of material preferred by the manufacturer of the tray 10.

The various embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice and use the invention and are exemplary of the fact that other arrangements may be employed in practicing the invention which has been set forth herein for purposes of exemplification. It is understood that the invention is not limited to the embodiments or illustrated drawings set forth herein for descriptive purposes, but is to be limited only by the scope of the attached claim or claims, including a full range of equivalency to which each element thereof is entitled. It is also to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A multipurpose stemware holder tray comprising: a substantially flat base having a front and back side, a left side and a right side, and having a top and bottom portion; the outer perimeter of said base including a plurality of slot-accessible circular openings for accepting and retaining stemmed containers; the base further including an opening that forms a handle disposed substantially at the center thereof for gripping the base with the fingers of the user's hand for added support and stability when carrying the multipurpose stemware holder tray for serving purposes; the back portion of said base structure adapted to rest on the palm of a user's hand in a stable carrying position; and the back portion of said base structure further including a universal thumb grip surrounding the handle for added support and stability when carrying items on the tray for transporting or serving purposes.
 2. A multipurpose stemware holder tray according to claim 1, wherein the front side is adapted for carrying beverages, stemmed glassware and stemmed containers.
 3. A multipurpose stemware holder tray according to claim 1, wherein the backside includes protrusions for facilitating easy and convenient pick up of said tray when stacked or stored on a flat surface.
 4. A multipurpose stemware holder tray according to claim 1, wherein the slot-accessible circular openings include rubber coated rims for securely holding and cushioning the bowl or foot of a stemmed wine glass or stemmed container for added stability and control when carrying said items on the tray.
 5. A multipurpose stemware holder tray according to claim 1, wherein the backside includes a wrist grip for added stability and control when carrying items on the tray.
 6. A multipurpose stemware holder tray according o claim 5, wherein the wrist grip includes rubber like material.
 7. A multipurpose stemware holder tray according to claim 1, wherein the handle is covered by a rubber like material or the like for added stability and control when carrying items on the tray.
 8. A multipurpose stemware holder tray according to claim 1, wherein the outer perimeter of said base structure accommodates stemmed glassware.
 9. A multipurpose stemware holder tray according to claim 1, wherein the universal thumb grip is constructed of a rubber like material.
 10. A multipurpose stemware holder tray according to claim , wherein the backside includes protrusions connected to a rubber coating covering the entire outer rim of the tray. 